THE EXPLORERS CLUB

Application for Membership

Please take a moment to review the instructions and policies before beginning your application.
Reviewers depend on the information in this form and sponsor letters to evaluate an applicant’s qualifications.
Relevant unsolicited materials are welcome; however, please note that they will be retained by the club

PART I – INSTRUCTIONS AND POLICIES

When preparing your application, remember that neatness counts. If you are writing the application by hand,
please be legible. If you are entering information into the Word or PDF document, please honor the formatting.
If you are adding pages to supplement the Word or PDF document, please label them. When a reviewer has to
wrestle with a hard-to-read application, the applicant gets less attention than deserved.

The Complete Application

Only a complete application is eligible for review. A complete application satisfies the checklist on page 10,
which means that all information asked for is provided, sponsorships are provided, and all signatures or email
confirmations of signatures are in evidence.

Send electronic applications (preferred) to: membership@explorers.org

Send paper applications to:

Chairman, Membership Committee

The Explorers Club
46 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021

Qualifications and Categories for Membership

The basic categories of membership in the Club are Member, Fellow, Associate, Term, and Student.
Membership category is determined by the Membership Committee, not by the Sponsor or the Applicant. Here
are the guidelines that the Membership Committee follows:

A Member is someone who has evidenced a sustained interest in some aspect of field exploration and has
contributed in broad terms to the cause of exploration, which includes furthering the scientific knowledge of the
world (for example, by leading or accompanying appropriate expeditions). Members are entitled to voting
privileges and may serve as sponsors for new members.

For help with this form or your membership request in general contact the Club at 212.628.8383 or membership@explorers.org.
 Application for Membership
A Fellow goes beyond the basic requirements of Member to include actual contributions to scientific knowledge
in the field of geographical exploration or allied sciences. Such accomplishments are usually evidenced by
scientific publications documenting fieldwork or explorations. Fellows are entitled to voting privileges and may
serve as sponsors for new members.

A Friend of the Explorers Club (Friend) is someone who does not possess the qualifications and experience of a
Member or Fellow, but supports the goals of the Club. Friends do not have voting privileges and may not serve
as sponsors for new members. Friends have the same rights and privileges as the legacy category of Associate.

A Term Member is a full time graduate student or teaching instructor with the qualifications and experience of
a Member. Applicants for Term membership must provide proof of full time status as a graduate student or
teaching instructor with the application. The maximum duration as a Term member, irrespective of age, is 5
years.

A Student Member is at least 16 and less than 30 years old and enrolled in an accredited school full time. The
student provides a copy of his or her student ID with the application. Only one sponsor is required.

All applicants are expected to be men and women of good reputation and of excellent moral and ethical
standards.

Extensive travel without a scientific purpose or objective, big game hunting, personal photography or similar
pursuits in remote parts of the world does not represent sufficient qualification to become a Member/Fellow
member of the Club. On the other hand, active participation in field expeditions sponsored by recognized
scientific organizations, universities or museums is given serious consideration, even if the results of the effort
are part of an ongoing study.

The Role of the Membership Committee

The Membership Committee determines whether the applicant satisfies the qualifications for membership. If
so, the committee determines the membership category and places the name of the applicant on the list for
approval by the Board of Directors. If the applicant does not qualify for membership, the committee notifies the
Sponsor, who in turn notifies the Applicant.

Dues Rates & Fees

At the time of election, a new member is assessed the annual dues payment, which is based on the membership
category. In the United States, a new member also pays an initiation fee equal to the amount of the annual dues
payment. After June 30, dues for a new member are assessed at one half the full rate with the initiation fee in the
United States remaining at the full rate. All dues and fees are payable up to 60 days after election. After 60 days,
the name of the new member will be removed from the rolls. For dues rates and fees see Addendum 1.

The Explorers Club Page 2 of 13

 Application for Membership

Diversity
The Explorers Club is committed to reducing barriers to membership for underrepresented groups. Applicants
from United Nations defined middle to lower income countries and applicants from high income countries
who bring diversity to our ranks will be given the opportunity to apply for assistance with their dues after they
are accepted as members of the club. A web page showing the UN income classifications can be found at:
https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups

A Word about Sponsorship and Unsponsored Applications

As stated in The Explorers Club Bylaws (see page 11), sponsorship is a critical component of the application
process. The Explorers Club is a community built firmly on the fellowship of our members. Someone already
a member must stand up in order for you to become a member of this group.

If you wish to join the Club and are without sponsorship, you may submit an application. If qualified, we will
suggest a member who may be willing to sponsor your application.

In the meantime, as an Unsponsored Applicant you are advised to reach out to the chapter of The Explorers
Club nearest you and become involved. This is the best way to begin to learn about the Club and to meet
members who may be willing to sponsor you. See our website for a chapter list.

For more information about sponsorship, membership, fees, chapters and the Club in general please visit our
website at www.explorers.org.

The Explorers Club Page 3 of 13

 Application for Membership
PART II – PERSONAL INFORMATION
Membership category is determined by the Membership Committee, not by the Sponsor or the Applicant.
However, feel free to indicate the membership category that you feel is most appropriate.

☐ Member / Fellow ☐ Friend* ☐ Student ☐ Term

☐ Are you transitioning from Student to Member/Fellow or Term?

(Two sponsors required.)

Prefix or Title:

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

Suffix:

Address Line 1:

Address Line 2:

Address Line 3:

City:

State or Province:

Postal Code:

Country:

Present Occupation:

Company or Institution:

* FRIEND HAS THE SAME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS THE LEGACY CATEGORY OF ASSOCIATE

The Explorers Club Page 4 of 13

 Application for Membership
PERSONAL INFORMATION continued

Home Telephone:

Work Telephone:

Mobile Telephone:

Fax:

Email Address:

Other Email Address:

Personal URL or Website:

Date of Birth:

Place of Birth:

Country of Citizenship:

Gender:

Are you an Eagle Scout or Golden Girl Scout? Yes ☐ No ☐

(If so, only one sponsor is needed.)

Active Duty Military? Yes ☐ No ☐

Would you like your information to be included in our Veteran’s Archive? Yes ☐ No ☐

The Explorers Club Page 5 of 13

 Application for Membership

PART III – EXPLORATION PROFILE

For the following, use the spaces provided and add pages as necessary.

A. FOR ALL APPLICANTS

1. Why do you want to join the Club?

(If your answer does not fit within the text box, please attach additional pages.)

2. What are your exploration interests?

3. Whom do you know who is a member of the Club?

The Explorers Club Page 6 of 13

 Application for Membership

B. FOR STUDENT AND TERM APPLICANTS

1. What academic institution do you attend?

2. What is your expected graduation class?

C. FOR MEMBER/FELLOW/TERM APPLICANTS

1. To which scientific or cultural institutions do you belong (if any)?

2. List any honors, awards and special recognitions related to exploration.

(If this list does not fit within the text box, please attach additional pages.)

3. List any presentations, lectures, and seminars that you have presented related to exploration.

The Explorers Club Page 7 of 13

 Application for Membership

4. Provide a bibliography of publications – books, articles and papers that you have authored – related
to exploration (if any). To be considered a Fellow, this section must be completed. Attach additional sheets
as needed.

The Explorers Club Page 8 of 13

 Application for Membership
PART IV – EXPLORATION RÉSUMÉ

REQUIRED FOR FELLOW/MEMBER/ TERM APPLICANTS ENCOURAGED FOR FRIENDS (STUDENTS SEE NOTE BELOW)

Summarize your expedition and research field work experiences, both vocational and avocational. Add extra pages as
required to present your accomplishments and contributions to exploration. For each separate endeavor, include dates,
objectives, sponsoring institutions, if any, your specific role, the results, and how the results were utilized and distributed. If
you wish to add your curriculum vitae please edit non-exploration related details.

Students without an exploration resume should write a brief essay on "How Exploration is Relevant to Me."

The Explorers Club Page 9 of 13

 Application for Membership
PART V – SIGNATURES

Applicant:

Email Address:

Date:

Signature:*

Sponsor:

Email Address:

Phone:

Date:

Signature:*

Co-Sponsor:

Email Address:

Phone:

Date:

Signature:*

* Physical signatures are appreciated for the Club’s archives, but not mandatory. If submitting electronically, sponsors must
use their Club registered email address. Candidates must use the email address on this application for all communication
with the Club.

The Explorers Club Page 10 of 13

 Application for Membership

PART VI – APPLICATION CHECK LIST

Please mark the checklist below as relates to your role in the application process.

Have you …

All applicants

☐ Completed Part II
☐ Entered your email address in Part II on Page 4?
☐ Answered all required questions in Part III?
☐ Summarized your exploration experience in Part IV? (Member, Fellow & Term
applicants)
☐ Included and labeled any additional pages for Part IV?
☐ Included your photograph? (optional)
☐ Included a copy of your student ID? (Term & Student applicants only)
☐ Signed the application in Part V?

Sponsor

☐ Attached your Sponsor Letter?

☐ Signed the application in Part V?

Co-Sponsor

☐ Attached your Co-Sponsor Letter?

☐ Signed the application in Part V?

Unsponsored Applicant+

☐ I understand that membership in The Explorers Club is contingent upon sponsorship.

In submitting this application without sponsorship, I acknowledge that my application
is incomplete and the Club is under no obligation to consider me for membership.

(See page 4, “A Word about Sponsorship and Unsponsored Applications.”)

The Explorers Club Page 11 of 13

 Application for Membership

PART VI – THE BYLAWS

According to Article IV, Section 4, of the Club bylaws:

Section 4.1. General (edit). Candidates for membership shall be proposed in writing according to the
Sponsorship Rules outlined in Sections 4.2 and 4.3. The Membership Committee shall report to the Board of
Directors or to the Executive Committee at the earliest convenient date its recommendations with respect to all
candidates. The names of the candidates shall be posted upon the bulletin board of the Club and the confidential
members section of the Club’s website. Their election shall not become final until after a thirty-day posting
period. Election shall be by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee after considering the report of
the Membership Committee.

Section 4.2. New Member Candidates. Unless otherwise provided for in these Bylaws, new member
candidates shall submit an application for membership to the Club and must have a sponsor and co-sponsor,
members of the Club, who must each file with the application a letter covering, in as much detail as possible, the
candidate’s background, his or her qualifications in terms of accomplishments, and how long and how well the
sponsor has known the applicant. The Membership Committee shall report on the merits of the applicant and
determine the class of membership to which he or she might be eligible.

Section 4.3. Students. Student member candidates shall submit an application for membership to the
Club and must have a sponsor member of the Club, who must file a letter covering the student candidate’s
background, his or her qualifications, accomplishments, and how long and how well the sponsor has known the
applicant. The Membership Committee shall report on the merits of the applicant to the Board of Directors or
to the Executive Committee. A Student Member may not propose, second, or act as sponsor for any applicant
for membership in any classification.

The Explorers Club Page 12 of 13

 Application for Membership

Addendum 1

To determine the cost of your annual dues, first check the chart below to see if you would be considered a
Resident, National or International member. Please note geographic designation is based on your
permanent address. . Non Residents will also be assigned a Primary Chapter geographically unless otherwise
requested.
Geographic Designation

Resident Resides within 50 miles of Club headquarters in New York City.

National Resides outside the New York area, but within the United States.

International Resides anywhere outside the United States.

Next combine your geographic designation and the membership category for which you hope to be approved.
Then find the corresponding line in the chart below.

Example: If you live in Maine and are approved as a Fellow, you would be a Fellow National. Your dues would be $250 with a one-
time initiation fee of the same amount.

Membership Classification Abbreviation Initiation Dues

Fellow Resident FR $575 $575

Fellow National FN $360 $360

Fellow International FI $0 $215

Life Fellow LF NA 20 X current rate

Member Resident MR $800 $800

Member National MN $465 $465

Member International MI $0 $360

Life Member LM NA 20 X current rate

Friend/Associate Resident FcR/AR $725 $1450

Friend/Associate National FcN/AN $500 $500

Friend/Associate International FcI/AI $0 $360

Student SM $0 $70

Term Member TM $0 $110

Members qualifying for dues assistance from UN Defined Middle and Lower income countries will currently have
annual dues of $50 for any classification.

Members of any Classification qualifying for diversity assistance will require no initiation fee and have assistance
for up to four years of dues or until the dues are less than the assistance. Year one $50, Year two $100, Year three
$200, Year four $400.

Please reach out to your sponsor or membership@explorers.org with any questions.

Page 13 of 13